Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei declares three days of national mourning following the deaths of several hundred Hajj pilgrims, including at least 125 Iranian nationals, in the holy city of Mecca.

(PressTV) "Offering condolences to the bereaved [families of killed pilgrims], I
declare three days of national mourning in the country,” Ayatollah
Khamenei said in a message on Thursday.

"The Saudi government is
obligated to shoulder its heavy responsibility in this bitter incident
and meet its obligations in compliance with the rule of righteousness
and fairness. Mismanagement and improper measures that were behind this
tragedy should not be overlooked,” the Leader said.

Saudi
emergency personnel and Hajj pilgrims carry a wounded person at the
site where the stampede took place in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca,
in Saudi Arabia on September 24, 2015 (AFP photo).

The
disaster created a "great grief” in the Islamic world, the Leader said,
condoling with the survivors and mourners throughout the Muslim
community and extending all possible assistance to the pilgrims of other
countries.

The administration of President Hassan Rouhani also
issued a statement, noting that the Saudi government is responsible for
the consequences of disregard of its obligation of guaranteeing security
for the pilgrims.

It called on the Saudi government to "identify
the factors that caused this incident”, help repatriate the bodies of
the dead to Iran quickly and provide treatment to the injured.

Saudi
authorities say 717 people have been killed while Iran's Hajj and
Pilgrimage Organization puts the death toll at more than 1,300.